HawthornHawthorn
Hawthorn was born in February 1873, at the Hawthorn Hotel. It’s is believed that many of the clubs players came from Hawthorn Grammar School. By 1875 Hawthorn, was playing at Grace Park, even though they also played some games at Meaney’s Paddock
Hawthorns location was a vital factor when the club was admitted into the VFA in 1914 and the VFL in 1925, both competitions wanted a club from the eastern suburbs. Hawthorn was only a mid-ladder junior ranked team when they joined the VFA.
By the late 1880’s, Hawthorn was struggling to maintain it’s identity and in 1889 the club merged with the stronger Riversdale club. The club didn’t improve a lot and in 1889 Hawthorn was scratched from the season.
The clubs lack of identity was reflected in the frequent colour changes. Hawthorn started in blue and white in 1873, then to yellow and black in 1889, red and blue in 1893, back to blue and white in 1902 and then red and black in 1906. The clubs final two years in junior ranks, 1912 and 1913, were played in blue and gold. When the club started playing in the VFA it had to change again because the colours were the same as Williamstown.
Hawthorn finished last in 1913, before the big push from the Hawthorn Council for the club to play in the VFA the next year. The clubs debut year at Glenferrie Oval, where they had played since 1906, wasn’t very glamorous. Hawthorn finished second last, and the following year they finished last.
The VFA was a tough world on and off the field. Hawthorn supporters were shocked when Port Melbourne started fights after they had lost to Hawthorn in June 1914. Hawthorn played in it’s only VFA final in 1923, Port Melbourne defeated and finished Hawthorns season in the First Semi Final. One of the clubs great highlights was a league record 30-22-202 to Prahran 6-9-45. This high score stood for 17 years.
The push for the VFL also came from the local council, in 1919. It wasn’t until 1925 when the club was accepted to play in the VFL. In the clubs final VFA season they just missed the Finals. Hawthorn was accepted with Footscray to play in the VFL in January 1925. Entry to the VFL was for geographical reasons, not because of playing ability.
Success was along time coming for Hawthorn in the VFL. It took 32 years before they played in the finals. Big-name coaching imports could do nothing to lift team from being permanent ‘cellar dwellers’. Hawthorn was so unsuccessful, that Hec De Lacy from the ‘Sporting Globe’ suggested that they be expelled from the league.
This seamed to give Hawthorn the kick start they needed. In 1957 Hawthorn played in the finals for the first time. In the next four decades Hawthorn won nine premierships, the first in 1961. From 1982 to 1994 Hawthorn played in 13 consecutive final series, a league record.
In Brief
Joined League: 1925
Premierships: 9
Premiership years: 1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988-89, 1991.:
Brownlow Medallists: Col Austen (1949), Robert DiPierdomenico (1986), John Platten (1987).
